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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1870416" data-attributes="member: 665">Hot Farts! Part Deux or The Apologetics of an Asthetician(see post above for a fashion statement on the EL)Okay, let's look at the Zen-Rays (revised). The brand name is printed in small letters on the bottom bridge. "Hey, Mac, what you got there, Promasters?"But perhaps that's all it needs because the model "Zen ED2" is printed in large print on the left EP housing and shouted from the roof tops on the top of the focuser. I do agree that simply "Zen" would be more elegant a name, and save the "Ray" for a model name. The Zen Ray (like Sting Ray). The shape is the same but different than the EL. Open bridge, but with a thinner bridge like the new SV EL. Unlike the EL, there is a contour line going from the objectives to the strap lugs. Reminds me a bit of some Vortex bins. Not too bad. But then comes the waffle iron grip pads on the sides. Admittedly, sometimes one must make concessions of style for function. The textured pads do help with the grip and the slant of the pad does follow the contour of the hand. But to be aesthetically picky, the contour line of the barrel curves in and the pad line curves out so they don't match. Could be the OCD genes in me, but I'd like to see the contour line match the line of the grip pad or miami vice versa. Here's what the ED2 would look like w/out the grip pads:<a href="http://netmail.verizon.net/webmail/driver?nimlet=deggetemail&fn=INBOX&page=1&degMid=619&folderSelected=INBOX&uidValidity=null&sfield=Num&sorder=descending&reqReceipt=false" target="_blank">http://netmail.verizon.net/webmail/driver?nimlet=deggetemail&fn=INBOX&page=1&degMid=619&folderSelected=INBOX&uidValidity=null&sfield=Num&sorder=descending&reqReceipt=false</a>A "cleaner" look, but perhaps not as easy to grip. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices in comfort for style, just ask women who wear high heels. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Similar gripping "dots" on the right diopter ring, which work well. They remind me of those dot candies I ate as a kid (with the fillings to prove it) that came on rolls of paper. The focuser. BIG. Unlike the fingerprint removing groves of the EL's focuser, ZR goes in the other direction, shallow ribs. Too shallow for the stiff focuser, but style-wise the focuser is a bit gaudy. Green ribbing would be more elegant and not so much print on the top of the focuser. ZEN ED2 (didn't we already see that on the left EP housing, and not as LOUDLY?). I'd have to shave points off for style on the focuser. Also, if the person bought the ED2, he knows it has DIELECTRIC COATINGS, unlike the original ZR ED, and "ED 2" is clearly marked on the front of the EP housing, so I don't see the point of printing the coatings type in ALL CAPS on the back of the EP housing. Nobody can see that but the user, anyway. The armoring seems to smudge too easily, but it could be my sun block interacting with the rubber. Matte finish unlike the EL's high gloss. A point for the matte finish, but two points off for smudge marks (Charles, there's a hole in the Ozone Layer, birders need to use sunblock! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />. Perhaps a gloss finish, though not as elegant, is the way to go here.I was told ZR changed the eyecups? The originals are rather chunky looking and they don't fit my eye orbits as well as the thinner ZR tops, but not everybody has deep eye sockets like Odo (and why are human eye sockets so hard to duplicate for a changling?). And I also have one "floppy" eyecup that pushes in too easily. I suggest a twisting metal frame be used below a rubber eyecup like those used on the Nikon Premier and EDG. This helps the eyecup stay in place, provides greater stability than a whole plastic eyecup, but it also adds some weight, so magnesium is probably the way to go. Revising my prior statement about Charlize, it's not just about looks when it comes to elegance, it's about quality. Plastic eyecups don't say "quality". Metal frames with rubber covers do. The end cap has LARGE silver ZR letter outlined in a silver circle, a bit too loud for my sense and sensibilities. If they are going to drop the "Ray," may I suggest this for a logo (check copyright infringement):<a href="http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/files/Zorro-Z-for-web.gif" target="_blank">http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/files/Zorro-Z-for-web.gif</a>For a company that hasn't been around since 1949 like Swaro, the ED2 design isn't a bad start at all, and the optics are excellent and the best bang for the price. So I shouldn't kvetch so much, but there's always room for improvement, and if ZR wants to compete with the Big Boys, then perhaps the design should reflect that. Some design change suggestions: Call the Fashion Police! The gray striped grips on the focuser need to be hauled in for a makeover. Not only are they cheesy looking, but they don't work because they are too shallow. So they serve neither function nor style. Check out Minox's black anodized metal focuser and the way the design matches the diopter and eyepiece housing.  Kewl. The Sharper Image would have carried these had it survived the Crash of '08. <a href="http://www.altairastro.com/images/P/Minox-HG8x56-300w.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.altairastro.com/images/P/Minox-HG8x56-300w.jpg</a>Now apply that same crosshatching pattern to the side grip pads, and voila!, you have one classy looking bin!As the new bin on the block, I can understand why ZR would chose to be a more obvious than Swaro in getting people's attention with the print and information on its bins. But now that ZR bins have been reviewed by top dog optics geeks such as Holger Merlitz, Henry Link, and Edz, perhaps those elements can be understated in the next gen of Zen EDs.As far as my preferred color, as the Fashionistas like to say: You can never go wrong with basic black.</blockquote>

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